Caroline Charrière (1960-2018)

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Born 1960 in Fribourg (Switzerland), Caroline Charrière has accomplished flute studies at the Lausanne Conservatory (with Pierre Wavre) and completed them with Aurèle Nicolet and at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester (GB). During the same time, she studied orchestration and composition with the Swiss composer Jean Balissat and conducting (Lausanne Conservatory, Hervé Klopfenstein).

She taught flute and musical culture part-time at the Conservatory of Fribourg, founded the women vocal ensemble Chœur de Jade in 1991 and directed it until her death.

In 2000, Caroline Charrière devoted herself to composition. Major commissions confirm this choice: notably from the Pro Helvetia Foundation for the oratorio Le livre de Job (2001), from the Association of Swiss Musicians for Anima mea for choir and organ (premiered at the Lucerne Festival in 2010), from the Fribourg International Festival of Sacred Music for Tenebrae factae sunt for mixed voices (2018). Renowned performers (Brigitte Balleys, the Amar Quartet, the French ensemble Kantika, etc.) and several distinctions confirm the relevance of this choice.

Her work, which is performed all over the world, includes all musical genres, from pieces for one instrument to musical theatre, choral works, concerti and humorous pieces. Caroline Charriere composed in a desire to share with the public. Sober and elegant, her music is accessible and touching. Caroline Charriere was one of the first composers in Switzerland to be able to live from her art.

Since her death in October 2018, the Association Caroline Charriere represents the interests of her music. Information, catalog of works: carolinecharriere.ch